Computer system and method for changing display of components shown on a display device

ABSTRACT

A method includes displaying a cursor on a display device with a computer system, and concurrently receiving first and second user inputs associated with movement of the cursor on the display device via the computer system. The method also includes moving display of the cursor on the display device in a vector defined by the first and second user inputs. The first user input defines a direction in which the cursor is moved on the display device and the second user input defines a speed at which the cursor is moved on the display device.

FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to computersystems.

BACKGROUND

Computer systems generate image data representative of imaged bodies.The imaged bodies may be displayed on a display device of the computersystem. Some types of computer systems can generate multi-dimensionalimage data. For example, some ultrasound computer systems can generateboth two-dimensional image slices and three (or four) dimensional imagesor videos for viewing by operators of the computer systems.

The images displayed by the display device may be manipulated by anoperator in multiple ways to change display of one or more components ofthe images. The user may activate a user interface or an input device,such as an electronic mouse or a track ball, to manipulate the images.As one example, the user may activate the input device to move a cursorto a target location on the screen of the display device. The cursor islinked to the input motion by a predefined constant distance ratio ofthe computer system such that the cursor moves across the display deviceat a predefined speed. When the user moves a distance A, the cursor onthe display device moves a distance B. However, this constant distanceratio is often not suitable for different applications and the operationbecomes cumbersome. If the ratio A/B is too low, then the cursor moveserratically over the display device. If the ratio A/B is too high, theuser has to roll the electronic mouse or track ball multiple times toreach the target on the screen.

As another example, the user may manipulate the images by activating aslider control on the display device to change the value of a parameter.For example, the slider control may be used to change the magnificationof the image, to change the speed of rotation of a multi-dimensionalimage, to move to a different page of a document or file, to change aratio between a magnification of a first image and a magnification of asecond image, to change a position of a displayed object on the displaydevice, to change the speed of movement of a cursor on the displaydevice, or to change the scale of the slider control. Using the inputdevice or an appendage of the user touching the display device, the usermoves an indicator element along the slider control. However, the sizeof the display device is often limited and the user cannot accuratelyadjust the indicator element on the slider control with a finger. Forexample, minimal movement with the finger may result in a change of thevalue of the slider control that is greater than intended.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a cursor on a displaydevice with a computer system, and concurrently receiving first andsecond user inputs associated with movement of the cursor on the displaydevice via the computer system. The method also includes moving displayof the cursor on the display device in a vector defined by the first andsecond user inputs. The first user input defines a direction in whichthe cursor is moved on the display device and the second user inputdefines a speed at which the cursor is moved on the display device.

In another embodiment, a system includes one or more processorsconfigured to display a cursor on a display device with a computersystem. The system also includes first and second user inputs associatedwith movement of the cursor on the display device via the computersystem. The one or more processors are configured to concurrentlyreceive the first and second user inputs. A display of the cursor on thedisplay device moves in a vector defined by the first and second userinputs. The first user input defines a direction in which the cursor ismoved on the display device, and the second user input defines a speedat which the cursor is moved on the display device.

In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a cursor on a displaydevice with an ultrasound imaging system, and concurrently receivingfirst and second user inputs associated with movement of the cursor onthe display device via the ultrasound imaging system. Receiving thefirst and second user inputs includes concurrently detecting a firsttouch of a touch-sensitive device of the ultrasound imaging system by afirst finger of a user and detecting a second touch of thetouch-sensitive device of the ultrasound imaging system by a secondfinger of the user. The method also includes moving display of thecursor on the display device in a vector defined by the first and seconduser inputs. The first user input defines a direction in which thecursor is moved on the display device and the second user input definesa speed at which the cursor is moved on the display device. Moving thedisplay of the cursor includes increasing the speed at which the cursoris moved responsive to the first touch and the second touch of thetouch-sensitive device moving away from each other, and moving thedisplay of the cursor includes decreasing the speed at which the cursoris moved responsive to the first touch and the second touch of thetouch-sensitive device moving toward each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive subject matter described herein will be better understoodfrom reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, withreference to the attached drawings, wherein below:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer system in accordance withone embodiment of the inventive subject matter described herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for movingdisplay of a cursor of a display device of a computer system;

FIG. 3 illustrates two handed control of movement of a cursor on adisplay device of the computer system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates single hand control of the movement of the cursor onthe display device of the computer system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a method forchanging a display value by a first amount and by a micro-amount basedon first and second user inputs;

FIG. 6 illustrates first and second user inputs changing a display valueby a positive amount;

FIG. 7 illustrates first and second user inputs changing a display valueby a negative amount;

FIG. 8 illustrates a first user input sliding a first finger along atouch-sensitive device;

FIG. 9 illustrates first and second user inputs sliding a first andsecond finger along a touch-sensitive device; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a second user input changing a display value by anincremental amount based on separation distance between locations of thefirst and second user inputs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter described hereinprovide computer systems and methods that display a user interface and acursor on a display device. First and second user inputs associated withmovement of the cursor on the display device are concurrently receivedby the computer system. In one embodiment, the first user input isreceived via an input device, and the second user input is received viatouches of a touch-sensitive device of the computer system by anappendage of the user. In another embodiment, the first and second userinputs are concurrent touches of the touch-sensitive device by differentappendages of the user (e.g., different fingers of one hand of theuser). Display of the cursor is moved on the display device in a vectordefined by the first and second user inputs. The first user inputdefines a direction in which the cursor is moved, and the second userinput defines a speed at which the cursor is moved. As one example, thespeed of the cursor increases responsive to the first touch by the firstfinger and the second touch by the second finger moving away from eachother. As another example, the speed of the cursor decreases responsiveto the first touch and the second touch moving toward each other.

One or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter described hereinalso provide computer systems and methods that display a user interfaceand a slider control on the display device of the computer system. Theslider control changes a display value of components shown on thedisplay device responsive to movement of an indicator element in theslider control. A first user input is received on the touch-sensitivedevice. The first user input is associated with movement of theindicator element in the slider control. The display value of thecomponents is changed by a first amount based on a distance that thefirst user input moved the indicator element in the slider control. Asone example, the first user input slides a first finger along thetouch-sensitive device to move the indicator element. If the displayvalue is changed too much or too little, a second user input is receivedon the touch-sensitive device.

The one or more embodiments may be used for moving display of a cursoron an ultrasound display or any display device. Optionally, the one ormore embodiments may be used for moving display of a cursor of anotherdisplay device or the display device of another computer system. Forexample, the systems and methods may be used for moving display of thecursor on an ultrasound display, for moving display of a cursor onanother display of another computer system, for moving another featureor component (e.g., besides a cursor) on the display device of anultrasound display, or for moving another feature or component (e.g.,besides a cursor) on the display of another computer system.Additionally or alternatively, the systems and methods may also be usedfor moving something or changing the display on a mobile device, such asa mobile phone, a mobile smart phone, a tablet computer, a remotelycontrolled display, or any alternative device including a displaydevice.

The display value is changed by a micro-amount based on the second userinput. As one example, the second user input repeatedly taps on thetouch-sensitive device, where each tap changes the display value by aunit that may be the smallest increment that the display value can bechanged. Optionally, the second user input may change the display valueby a unit that is greater than the smallest increment that the displayvalue can be changed but that is smaller than the first amount thedisplay value may be changed by the first user input. As anotherexample, the second user input slides a finger along the touch-sensitivedevice while the first user input remains stationary. The micro-amountthat the display value is changed is smaller than the first amount thatthe display value is changed by the first user input. In one embodiment,the display value may be changed by a positive micro-amount for each tapby the second user input on one side of the first user input, and thedisplay value may be changed by a negative micro-amount for each tap bythe second user input on an opposite side of the first user input. Inanother embodiment, the second user input changes the display value bythe micro-amount based on separation distance between a location wherethe first user input is received on the touch-sensitive device and alocation where the second user input is received on the touch sensitivedevice.

At least one technical effect of the subject matter described hereinprovides a computer with the ability to dynamically change the speed ofmovement of a cursor on the display device. The computer system is ableto concurrently receive first and second user inputs that define adirection in which the cursor moves and the speed at which the cursormoves along the display device. Another technical effect of the subjectmatter described herein provides a computer system with the ability tochange a display value by a first amount based on a first user input,and by a micro-amount, that is smaller than the first amount, based on asecond user input. For example, the first user input may be able tochange the display value by factors of 10, but the second user input maybe able to change the display value by factors of 1. Changing thedisplay value by the micro-amount increases the accuracy of the displayvalue relative to a system that changes the display value by only afirst user input.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer system 100 in accordancewith one embodiment of the inventive subject matter described herein.The computer system 100 may be an ultrasound imaging system in one ormore embodiments, may be an alternative medical computer system, may bea recreational computer system such as a smartphone, a laptop or desktopcomputer, or the like, etc. According to an embodiment, the computersystem 100 may be an ultrasound imaging system having a transmitbeamformer and a transmitter that drive elements with a probe to emitpulsed ultrasonic signals into a body (not shown). The pulsed ultrasonicsignals may be back-scattered from structures in the body, such as bloodcells or muscular tissue, to produce echoes that return to the elements.The echoes are converted into electrical signals, or ultrasound data, bythe elements and the electrical signals are received by a receiver. Theelectrical signals representing the received echoes are passed through areceive beamformer that outputs ultrasound data. The probe may containelectronic circuitry to do all or part of the transmit and/or thereceive beamforming. For example, all or part of the transmitbeamformer, the transmitter, the receiver and the receive beamformer maybe situated within the probe. Scanning may include acquiring datathrough the process of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals.Data generated by the probe can include one or more datasets acquiredwith an ultrasound imaging system.

The computer system 100 includes one or more processors 116 that are inelectronic communication with a display device 118. For example, thedisplay device 118 may be a computer monitor display screen, a tabletscreen, a smartphone screen, a camera screen, or the like, that maydisplay images. In one or more embodiments, the display device 118 mayalso be referred to as a main display of the computer system 100. Thedisplay device 118 may also include a touch-sensitive area that extendsalong at least a portion of the display device 118 that responds tocontact via a finger, plural fingers, and/or one or more styluses, orthe like. For example, the touch-sensitive area may be a designated areaof the display device 118, or may extend along substantially the entirearea of the display device 118.

The computer system 100 also includes a touch-sensitive device 124 thatis operably coupled with the processors 116. The touch-sensitive device124 of the computer system 100 may include a touch pad having a displayscreen that displays one or more settings, images, icons, controlcommands, text displays, slider controls, or the like, to the user oroperator of the computer system 100. For example, the touch-sensitivedevice 124 may include one or more display screens displaying differentimages, the touch pad or a touch-sensitive area that may extend along atleast a portion of the display screen that may receive touches by anoperator, one or more user icons that may be selected by the operator tochange one or more settings of the computer system 100 or the displaydevice 118, or the like.

In one or more embodiments, the touch-sensitive device 124 may beintegrated with the display device 118. The computer system 100 mayinclude the main display of the display device 118 that may include thetouch-sensitive device that extends along at least a portion of thedisplay device 118. For example, the computer system 100 may operate indifferent modes of operation that may allow the operator to manipulatethe display device 118 like a user interface. For example, in a firstmode of operation, the display device 118 may display an image, and in adifferent second mode of operation, the display device 118 may displaythe different settings, images, icons, control commands, text displays,or the like, to the operator. Optionally, the display device 118 maydisplay both the image and the user interface together on a singlescreen of the display device 118 that the user may actuate or manipulateas the touch-sensitive device.

In one or more embodiments in which the touch-sensitive device 124 isintegrated with the display device 118, the display device 118 maydisplay the image and a user interface (e.g., a designatedtouch-sensitive area, one or more different icons, a slider control, orthe like). In one or more alternative embodiments in which thetouch-sensitive device 124 is separate from the display device 118, thetouch-sensitive device 124 may include a touch pad having one or moredisplay screens that display a user interface (e.g., the settings,icons, images, slider control, or the like) with the display screens. Inone or more embodiments, the image may be displayed only on the touchpad of the touch-sensitive device 124 (e.g., on the display screen ofthe touch pad) or the image may be split between the display screen ofthe touch-sensitive device 124 and the display device 118. For example,the display screen of the touch pad (e.g., of the touch-sensitive device124) may display a duplicate of the image shown on the main displaydevice 118, a unique image relative to the image shown on the maindisplay device 118, or the same or common image may extend between thedisplay screen of the touch-sensitive device 124 and the main screen ofthe display device 118.

The processors 116 may process the data into images for display on thedisplay device 118. The processors 116 may include one or more centralprocessors (CPU) according to an embodiment. According to otherembodiments, the processors 116 may include one or more other electroniccomponents capable of carrying out processing functions, such as one ormore digital signal processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA),graphic boards, and/or integrated circuits. According to otherembodiments, the processors 116 may include multiple electroniccomponents capable of carrying out processing functions. For example,the processors 116 may include two or more electronic componentsselected from a list of electronic components including: one or morecentral processors, one or more digital signal processors, one or morefield-programmable gate arrays, and/or one or more graphic boards.According to another embodiment, the processors 116 may also include acomplex demodulator (not shown) that demodulates the radio frequencydata and generates raw data. In another embodiment, the demodulation canbe carried out earlier in the processing chain.

In one embodiment, the computer system 100 may be an ultrasound imagingsystem, and the touch-sensitive device 124 and/or the display device 118may display an ultrasound image. The processors 116 may be adapted toperform one or more processing operations according to a plurality ofselectable ultrasound modalities on the data. The data may be processedin real-time during a scanning session as the echo signals are received,such as by processing the data without any intentional delay orprocessing the data while additional data is being acquired during thesame imaging session of the same person.

The data may be stored temporarily in a buffer (not shown) during ascanning session and processed in less than real-time in a live oroff-line operation. Optionally, the data may be stored (e.g.,temporarily or permanently) in a memory 120. Some embodiments of theinventive subject matter may include multiple processors (not shown) tohandle the processing tasks that are handled by the processors 116according to the exemplary embodiment described hereinabove. Forexample, a first processor may be utilized to demodulate and decimatethe RF signal while a second processor may be used to further processthe data prior to displaying an image. It should be appreciated thatother embodiments may use a different arrangement of processors.

The memory 120 is included for storing processed volumes of acquireddata. In one embodiment, the memory 120 is of sufficient capacity tostore at least several seconds worth of volumes of data, such asultrasound data. The volumes of data are stored in a manner tofacilitate retrieval thereof according to its order or time ofacquisition. The memory 120 may comprise any known data storage medium,such as one or more tangible and non-transitory computer-readablestorage media (e.g., one or more computer hard drives, disk drives,universal serial bus drives, or the like).

An input device 122 is operably coupled with the one or more processors116. The input device 122 may be used to control operation of thecomputer system 100, including, to control the input of person data, tochange a scanning or display parameter, and the like. For example, theprocessors 116 can determine if an operator of the computer system 100has provided input via the input device 122. In one or more embodiments,the input provided by the operator may be a request for one or moretwo-dimensional image slices of the body (not shown) to be shown on thedisplay device 118, one or more three- or four-dimensional renderedimages or videos to be shown on the display device 118, may requestdifferent settings of the display device 118 to be shown such asdifferent evaluation screens or different views of the rendered images,may be a request to control movement of a cursor on the display device118, or the like. The input device 122 may be a track ball, anelectronic mouse, a keyboard, a stylus of the computer system 100, orthe like. The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a single inputdevice, however, the computer system 100 may include any number ofseparate and distinct input devices that may be used to controloperation of the computer system 100. Additionally or alternatively, theinput device 122 may be integrated with the touch-sensitive device 124as a single component of the computer system 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a method 200 formoving display of a cursor of the display device 118 of the computersystem 100. Optionally, the method 200 may be used for moving display ofthe cursor of another display device or the display device of anothercomputer system. For example, the method 200 may be used for movingdisplay of the cursor on an ultrasound display, to move display of thecursor on another display of another computer system, to move anotherfeature or component (e.g., besides a cursor) on the display device ofan ultrasound display, or to move another feature or component (e.g.,besides a cursor) on the display of another computer system.Additionally or alternatively, the method 200 may also be used to movesomething or change the display on a mobile device, such as a mobilesmart phone, a tablet computer, a remotely controlled display, or anyalternative device including a display device.

At 202, a cursor is displayed on the display device 118 of the computersystem 100. At 204, the cursor is moved in a direction on the displaydevice 118 via a first user input. In one embodiment, the first userinput may be actuation or manipulation of the input device 122 such as atrack ball, an electronic mouse, a keyboard, a stylus, or the like, ofthe computer system 100. Optionally, the cursor may be moved byactuation or manipulation of the touch-sensitive device 124, oractuation or manipulation of the display device 118 when thetouch-sensitive device is integrated with the display device 118. Forexample, the first user input to control movement and a direction ofmovement of the cursor may be received via the input device 122 (e.g.,the track ball, the electronic mouse, the stylus, a device other thanthe display device 118 or the touch-sensitive device 124, or the like),via the touch-sensitive device 124, and/or via the touch-sensitivedevice integrated with the display device 118. The cursor may bedisplayed on the display device 118, on the display screen of thetouch-sensitive device 124, on a separate display device, or the like.

At 206, a decision is made if the speed of the movement of the cursorneeds to be changed. In one embodiment, the operator may need to movethe cursor across the majority of the display device 118, but the speedof the cursor may be preset by the computer system 100 to a speed thatis too slow. For example, the operator may need to manipulate the inputdevice 122 (e.g., the track ball) such that the operator turns the trackball multiple times in order for the cursor to reach the target locationon the display device 118. The operator may need to move the cursor morequickly to the target location on the display device 118 than the presetspeed of the movement of the cursor. In an alternative embodiment, thespeed of the cursor may be preset by the computer system 100 to a speedthat is too fast for the operation that the operator is conducting. Forexample, the operator may need to move the cursor only a minimal amountto move the cursor to the target location on the display device 118.However, minimal manipulation of the track ball may cause the cursor tomove beyond the target location if the preset speed of the cursor is toofast.

The operator may want to increase or decrease the speed of the movementof the cursor on the display device 118. Optionally, the operator maynot want to increase or decrease the speed of movement of the cursor. Ifthe speed of the cursor does not need to be changed, then flow of themethod proceeds to 204 and the operator continues to move the cursor ina direction on the display device 118. Alternatively, if the speed ofthe cursor does need to be changed (e.g., speed up, slow down), thenflow of the method proceeds toward 208.

At 208, the one or more processors 116 concurrently receive first andsecond user inputs associated with the movement of the cursor on thedisplay device 118. The first user input defines the direction in whichthe cursor is moved on the display device 118. The second user inputdefines the speed at which the cursor is moved on the display device118. The first user input may be received by a first hand of the usermanipulating the input device. Optionally, the first user input may bereceived by a first finger of the first hand manipulating thetouch-sensitive device 124 and/or the display device 118. The seconduser input may be received by a second hand of the user manipulating thetouch-sensitive device 124 and/or the display device 118 while the firsthand of the user manipulates the input device. Optionally, the seconduser input may be received by a second finger of the first handmanipulating the touch-sensitive device 124 and/or the display device118 while the first finger of the first hand manipulates thetouch-sensitive device 124 or the display device 118. Optionally, thedisplay screen of the touch-sensitive device 124 or the display device118 may display a user interface (e.g., a slider control, one or moreicons, or the like).

In one embodiment, the first user input may be manipulation of the inputdevice 122 (e.g., the track ball) to move the cursor on the displaydevice 118 and the second user input may be actuation of thetouch-sensitive device 124 to change the speed of the cursor on thedisplay device 118. In another embodiment, the first user input may beactuation of the touch-sensitive device 124 (e.g., the touch pad) tomove the cursor on the display device 118 and the second user input maybe actuation of the touch-sensitive device 124 to change the speed ofthe cursor on the display device 118. In another embodiment, the firstand second user inputs may be actuation of the touch-sensitive device124 and the cursor may be displayed on both the display device 118 andthe display screen of the touch-sensitive device 124 (e.g., inparallel). In another embodiment, the first and second user inputs maybe actuation of the touch-sensitive device 124 and the cursor may bedisplayed on the display screen of the touch-sensitive device 124.Optionally, the touch-sensitive device 124 may include separate areas ofthe display screen for input and for display.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate non-limiting different embodiments ofcontrolling the movement of the cursor with the concurrent first andsecond user inputs. At 210, display of the cursor on the display device118 (or on the display screen of the touch-sensitive device 124 or on analternative display device) is moved in a vector defined by the firstand second user inputs. The method may repeat until the desired movementof the cursor is achieved, while the user continues to operate thecomputer system 100, or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of two-handed control of movement ofthe cursor on the display device 118 of the computer system 100. Theoperator may manipulate the input device 122 (e.g., the track ball) asthe first user input and the touch-sensitive device 124 (e.g., the touchpad of the touch-sensitive device) as the second user input to changethe speed of the movement of a cursor on the display device 118.Optionally, the operator may manipulate the input device 122 (e.g., thetrack ball) and the touch-sensitive device integrated with the displaydevice 118 to control the movement of the cursor on the display device118. The processors 116 receive actuation of the input device 122 as afirst user input 302. The first user input 302 (e.g., a first appendage,such as a first hand, of the operator) manipulates the track ball, theelectronic mouse, the keyboard, or the stylus of the computer system 100to move the cursor on the display device 118 (or on the display screenof the touch-sensitive device) in a direction.

As previously set forth in the flowchart 200, if the speed of the cursormoving across the display device 118 needs to change (e.g., decrease inspeed, increase in speed), a second user input 304 is concurrentlyreceived by the processors 116. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3,the second user input 304 (e.g., a second appendage, such as a finger ofa second hand of the operator) touches a slider control 306 (e.g., auser interface) of the touch-sensitive device 124. For example, thesecond user input 304 may be a finger of the operator or user of thecomputer system 100, and the touch of the finger to the touch-sensitivedevice 124 may be detected by the processors 116. Optionally, the seconduser input 304 may be a finger touching the touch-sensitive deviceintegrated with the display device 118. The slider control 306illustrates one embodiment of a user interface including a scale ofvalues designating the speed of the cursor. For example, an indicator(not shown) may be displayed on the display device 118 or on the displayscreen of the touch-sensitive device 124 at a position along the lengthof the slider control 306. Moving the indicator along the slider control306 (e.g., via the finger, a stylus, or the like) increases or decreasesthe speed of the cursor. The slider control 306 may be disposed at anyposition of the display device 118.

In order to control the movement of the cursor on the display device118, the processors 116 concurrently receive the first and second userinputs 302, 304 from different appendages of the user or operator. Asthe first user input 302 (e.g., the first hand) manipulates the inputdevice 122 (e.g., the track ball) to move the cursor in a direction, thesecond user input 304 (e.g., the second hand) concurrently touches thetouch-sensitive device 124 to change the speed of the movement of thecursor on the display device 118. For example, by tapping, touching, orsliding the indicator (e.g., via a finger, a stylus, etc.) with thesecond user input 304 in a first direction on the slider control 306,the speed of the cursor increases as the cursor concurrently moves alongthe display device 118. Alternatively, by tapping, touching, or slidingthe indicator (e.g., via a finger, stylus, etc.) with the second userinput 304 in a different direction on the slider control 306, the speedof the cursor decreases as the cursor concurrently moves along thedisplay device 118.

In one or more embodiments, the speed of the cursor may be changedplural times as the cursor moves on the display device 118. For example,the operator may move the cursor on the display device 118 towards afirst target, and may increase the speed of the cursor by moving theindicator via the second user input 304 towards the increased values ofthe slider control 306. However, the speed of the cursor may be toofast. The operator may decrease the speed of the cursor by sliding theindicator via the second user input 304 towards the decreased values ofthe slider control 306.

In the illustrated embodiment, the slider control 306 is a substantiallyhorizontal line representing a number scale. The speed of the cursorchanges by moving the indicator (not shown) to different positions alongthe horizontal line, for example, by sliding, tapping, or touching theslider control 306. Optionally, the slider control 306 may be asubstantially vertical line, may be circular, or may have anyalternative orientation and/or configuration. In one or moreembodiments, the touch-sensitive device 124 and the display device 118may be void the slider control 306, and the speed of the cursor may bechanged by detection of touches, taps, or the like, by the user at anylocation of the touch-sensitive device 124 or of the display device 118.Optionally, the speed of the cursor may be changed by varying magnitudesbased on the number of different fingers of the second user input 304(e.g., the second hand of the operator) that touch, tap, or slide alongthe touch-sensitive area of the display device 118. For example, slidinga first finger of the second user input 304 may change the speed by afirst magnitude, and sliding the first finger and a second finger of thesecond user input 304 may change the speed by a greater, secondmagnitude. Optionally, the speed at which the second user input 304 isdetected (e.g., increasing or decreasing speed of sliding the fingeralong the touch-sensitive device, the frequency of taps of the finger onthe touch-sensitive device, or the like) may change the speed of themovement of the cursor by different magnitudes. Optionally, the speed ofthe cursor may be changed by any alternative method.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of single-hand control of the movementof the cursor on the display device 118 of the computer system 100 ofFIG. 1. The operator may manipulate only the touch-sensitive device 124(e.g., the touch pad) to move the cursor and to change the speed of themovement of a cursor on the display device 118. Optionally, the operatormay manipulate only the display device 118 (e.g., when thetouch-sensitive device is integrated with the display device 118) tocontrol the movement of the cursor on the display device 118. Theprocessors 116 receive actuation of a first user input 302. The firstuser input 402 is a first finger of the user of the computer system 100.The first user input 402 is a first touch of the touch-sensitive device124 to move the cursor on the display device 118 in a direction. Forexample, the first user input 402 (e.g., the first finger of the hand ofthe user) may touch the display screen of the touch pad of thetouch-sensitive device 124 and slide the first finger across the displayscreen to move the cursor along the display device 118 (or to move thecursor along the display screen of the touch-sensitive device 124).Optionally, the first user input 402 may be a first touch of the displaydevice 118. The cursor moves across the display device 118 in responseto the first user input 402 touching the touch-sensitive device 124 ortouching the display device 118. The first user input 402 may move thecursor in any two-dimensional direction along the display device 118and/or along the display screen of the touch-sensitive device 124.

If the speed of the cursor moving across the display device 118 needs tochange (e.g., increase or decrease), a second user input 404 isconcurrently received by the processors 116. In the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 4, the second user input 404 is a second touch by asecond finger of the hand of the user of the computer system 100. Theprocessors 116 detect concurrent first and second touches (e.g., by thefirst finger and the second finger of the user) of the touch-sensitivedevice 124 to move the cursor and to change the speed at which thecursor is moved along the display device 118. Optionally, the processors116 may detect concurrent first and second touches of the display device118 to move the cursor and change the speed at which the cursor ismoved.

In one embodiment, the user places both the first finger and secondfinger (e.g., the first and second user inputs 402, 404) on thetouch-sensitive device 124 (or the touch-sensitive device of the displaydevice 118) with a distance between the two fingers. The user slides thefirst and second fingers along the touch pad of the touch-sensitivedevice 124 substantially maintaining the distance between the twofingers. The cursor moves in the direction of movement designated by thefirst user input 402 and at a preset speed. If the speed of the cursoris too slow, then as the first and second fingers slide along thetouch-sensitive device 124 the user moves the two fingers away from eachother (e.g., further apart) and increases the distance between the twofingers. Moving the first and second fingers away from each otherincreases the distance between the two fingers and increases the speedof movement of the cursor. Additionally, increasing the speed of themovement of the cursor reduces a time to move the cursor from a firstposition to a second position. Alternatively, if the speed of the cursoris too slow, then as the first and second fingers slide along thetouch-sensitive device 124, the user moves the two fingers towards eachother (e.g., closer together) and decreases the distance between the twofingers. Moving the first and second fingers toward each other decreasesthe distance between the two fingers and decreases the speed of movementof the cursor. Additionally, decreasing the speed of the movement of thecursor increase a time to move the cursor from the first position to thesecond position. Increasing or decreasing the distance between the firstand second fingers may be repeated plural times until the desired speedof the cursor is achieved.

In another embodiment, the first finger (e.g., the first user input 402)touches the touch-sensitive device 124 and slides the finger along thetouch-sensitive device to move the cursor. If the speed of the cursor istoo slow, then the user places the second finger (e.g., the second userinput 404) proximate to the first finger on the touch-sensitive device124 and moves the second finger away from the first finger by slidingthe second finger along the surface of the touch-sensitive device 124.In one embodiment, the second user input 404 may slide along thetouch-sensitive device 124 while the first user input 402 remainssubstantially stationary. Optionally, the first and second user inputs402, 404 may slide in directions away from each other to increase thedistance between the first and second user inputs 402, 404. Optionally,the first and second touches may be detected by the processors 116 onthe display device 118.

Increasing a distance or a size of a space between the first and secondfingers increases the speed or velocity of movement of the cursor.Alternatively, if the speed of the cursor is too fast, the user placesthe second finger (e.g., the second user input 404) distal or apart fromthe first finger on the touch-sensitive device 124 and moves the secondfinger closer to the first finger by sliding the second finger along thetouch-sensitive device 124. Decreasing the distance or the size of thespace between the first and second fingers decreases the speed ofmovement of the cursor. The user continues to move the cursor in thedirection via the first user input 402 after the speed of the movementof the cursor changes. Optionally, the second finger (e.g., the seconduser input 404) may tap or touch the touch-sensitive device 124 atlocations that are closer to or further away from the first finger(e.g., the first user input 402) to increase or decrease the speed ofthe cursor. Optionally, different concurrent touches of thetouch-sensitive device 124 or the display device 118 by the first andsecond user inputs may change the speed of the cursor by any alternativemethod.

In one or more embodiments, the first and second user inputs 402, 404may be manipulated in different methods to move the cursor on thedisplay device 118 and to control the speed of the movement of thecursor. For example, the first and second user inputs 402, 404 (e.g.,the first and second fingers of the hand of the user) may tap or touchthe touch-sensitive device 124 or the display device 118 integrated withthe touch-sensitive device at different frequencies, at locations havingvarying distances between the first and second user inputs 402, 404, orthe like. Optionally, the first user input 402 may slide in a firstdirection from a first location to a second location on the touch pad ofthe touch-sensitive device 124 to move the cursor, and the second userinput 404 may slide in a different direction relative to the firstdirection on the touch pad of the touch-sensitive device 124 to changethe speed of the cursor (e.g., up and down, in a circular clock-wise orcounter clock-wise direction, or the like). Optionally, three or moreother fingers of the user may change the movement of the cursor on thedisplay device 118 or on the display screen of the touch-sensitivedevice 124.

In one or more embodiments, the memory 120 may store data that may beused to dynamically change the speed of the cursor based on a mode ofoperation of the computer system 100. In one example, the user may workin an archive (e.g., stored memory data) and may need to select pluraldifferent icons spread across the touch-sensitive device 124 or thedisplay device 118. If the cursor speed is too slow, the user may haveto move the input device 122 several times to get from one target to asecond target on the display device 118. The user may want to increasethe speed of the movement of the cursor to reduce the number ofmovements of the input device 122. The mode of operation of the computersystem 100 (e.g., opening an image from the memory 120, starting ameasurement, or the like) may be used as prior knowledge or prior datainformation for the expected cursor speed. For example, the memory 120may store tailored cursor speeds based on the mode of operation of thecomputer system 100. The speed of the movement of the cursor may betailored for plural different modes of operation, and the processors 116may dynamically and automatically change the speed of the movement ofthe cursor based on the mode of operation selected by the user.

In another embodiment, the user may work in a mode of operation toperform a manual measurement (e.g., manually measure a feature of anultrasound image displayed on the display device 118 in an ultrasoundimaging system). If the cursor speed is too fast, the user may not beable to reach the target location (e.g., the cursor may move past thetarget location with minimal movement of the input device 122). Theprocessors 116 may dynamically change the speed of the movement of thecursor based on the mode of operation of the computer system 100 (e.g.,taking manual measurements).

In another embodiment, the tailored speed of the movement of the cursorfor the plural modes of operation may be learned by the processors 116.During a learning phase of the processors 116, the behavior by the user(e.g., increasing the speed of the cursor, decreasing the speed of thecursor, etc.) during the plural modes of operation may be analyzed bythe processors 116. If the motion pattern by the user indicates that thespeed of the cursor is too slow or too fast, the speed of the cursor maybe dynamically and automatically changed in the respective mode of theoperation for a later use. Dynamically changing the speed of the cursorimproves the increase of accuracy of the cursor control relative to thespeed of the cursor remaining unchanged or being changed manually.

In one or more embodiments, the first and second user inputs that areconcurrently received by the processors 116 may change one or more othercomponents of the computer system 100. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates aflowchart of one embodiment of a method 500 for changing a display valueby a first amount and by a micro-amount based on first and second userinputs.

At 502, the slider control (e.g., the user interface, the slider control306 of FIG. 3) is displayed on the display screen of the touch-sensitivedevice 124. Optionally, the slider control 306 may be displayed on thedisplay device 118 of the computer system 100. At 504, an indicatorelement of the slider control is moved via a first user input. Theslider control may be displayed on the touch-sensitive device 124 of anultrasound imaging system, on the display device 118 of an ultrasoundimage, on a display device of another computer system, on the displaydevice of a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, orthe like, or on any alternative device including a display device or adisplay screen. In one or more embodiments, the first user input may bea first finger of a first hand of the user touching the touch-sensitivedevice 124, a first finger touching the display device 118, a stylustouching the indicator element on the touch-sensitive device 124 or thedisplay device 118, activation and/or manipulation of the input device(e.g., the input device 122), or the like.

The slider control changes a display value of one or more componentsshown on the display device 118 responsive to the movement of the slidercontrol by the first user input. Optionally, the slider control maychange a display value of components shown on the display screen of thetouch-sensitive device 124. The one or more components orcharacteristics may be a magnification of an image, may be a speed ofrotation of a three-dimensional image, may be a different pages of adocument or file illustrated on the display device 118, may be a ratiobetween a magnification of a first image and a magnification of a secondimage on the display device 118, may be a ratio of an image that issplit between being display on the display device 118 and beingdisplayed on the display screen of the touch-sensitive device 124, maybe a position of a displayed object on the display device 118, may bethe speed of movement of a cursor on the display device 118, may be asize of the scale of the slider control, or the like.

At 506, the display value of the one or more components is changed by afirst amount based on a distance that the first user input moved theindicator element. For example, the display value may be a numericalvalue on the slider control that has a lower value and an upper value.The upper and lower values may be predetermined or preset by thecomputer system 100. As the first user input moves the indicator elementtowards the upper value of the slider control, the display valueincreases. Alternatively, as the first user moves the indicator elementtowards the lower value of the slider control, the display valuedecreases.

The display value dynamically changes as the first user inputmanipulates the indicator element. For example, the slider control maybe changing the display value of the magnification of the imageillustrated on the display device 118. As the indicator element is movedtoward the upper value of the slider scale, the magnification of theimage may dynamically increase, and the image may be zoomed in to a sizecorresponding to the positioning of the indicator element.Alternatively, as the indicator element is moved toward the lower valueof the slider scale, the magnification of the image may dynamicallydecrease, and the image may be zoomed out to a different sizecorresponding to the positioning of the indicator element. The numericvalue identified by the display value continuously changes responsive tothe indicator element moving relative to the slider control.

In one or more embodiments, the display value may be an image, such as aconical shape. As the indicator element is moved toward the upper valueof the slider control, a volume of the conical shape may dynamicallyfill to indicate that the display value is increasing. Alternatively, asthe indicator element is moved toward the lower value of the slidercontrol, the volume of the conical shape may dynamically empty toindicate that the display value is decreasing. Optionally, the displayvalue, and the increasing or decreasing value of the display value, maybe illustrated by one or more alternative methods.

At 508, a decision is made if the display value or characteristic of theone or more components has changed too much. For example, moving theindicator element toward the upper value by a single unit may change thedisplay value by 20× the single unit, but the display value may need toreach only a value of 5× the single unit. The unit may be the smallestincrement or decrement that the display value can be changed by thecomputer system 100. For example, the unit may be a single numericdigit, may be a fraction of a number, or the like. Optionally, thesecond user input may change the display value by a unit that is greaterthan the smallest increment that the display value can be changed butthat is smaller than the first amount the display value may be changedby the first user input. In another embodiment, the user may need tochange the display value by 5 units, but the size of the finger of theuser changes the display value by 20 units. Alternatively, the displayvalue may change too much. For example, the user may need to change thedisplay value by 100 units, but the scale of the slider control can onlybe changed by 50 units. If the display value has been changed too muchor too little by the movement of the indicator element via the firstuser input, then flow of the method proceeds toward 510. If the displayvalue has not been changed by too much or too little, then flow of themethod returns to 502 and the method continues to repeat as the useroperates the computer system 100.

At 510, the processors 116 receive a second user input. The second userinput may be received on the touch-sensitive device 124, on thetouch-sensitive area of the display device 118, via the input device122, or the like. The second user input may be a second finger of onehand of the operator, may be a stylus touching the touch-sensitivedevice 124 or the display device 118, activation and/or manipulation ofone or more input devices 122, or the like. The second user input may beone or more repeated taps on the touch pad of the touch-sensitivedevice, may be a sliding motion on the touch-sensitive device 124 in adirection relative to the first user input (e.g., towards or away fromthe first user input, linear or angular relative to the first userinput, in a circular motion relative to a linear motion of the firstuser input, or the like), may be tapping by plural different fingers ofone hand of the user, or the like. At 512, the display value of theslider control is changed by a micro-amount based on the second userinput. The display value is changed by the micro-amount that is smallerthan the first amount that the display value is changed (e.g., smallerthan the first amount changed by on the first user input).

In one or more embodiments, the first user input (e.g., moving theindicator element) designates a rate of change of the one or morecomponents, and the second user input modifies the rate of change. Forexample, the second user input may accelerate or decelerate the movementof one or more components and/or parameters of the computer system 100.The second user input may accelerate or decelerate the rate of change ofthe one or more components and/or parameters of the computer system 100based on a frequency of the repeated tapping by the second user input.

FIGS. 6 through 10 illustrate different embodiments of changing thedisplay value of the one or more components by a first amount based onthe first user input, and by a micro-amount (e.g., that is smaller thanthe first amount) based on the second user input.

FIG. 6 illustrates first and second user inputs 602, 604 changing adisplay value 620 by a positive amount. In the illustrated embodiment,the first user input 602 is a first touch by a first finger of one handof the user, and the second user input 604 is a second touch by a secondfinger of the hand of the user on the touch-sensitive device 124.Optionally, the first and/or second user inputs 602, 604 may be touchingof the display device 118 by the first and second fingers, by a stylus,may be activation and/or manipulation of the input device 122, or anycombination therein.

The first user input 602 is associated with movement of the indicatorelement in the slider control 306. For example, the first finger touchesthe touch-sensitive device 124 and moves the indicator element along theslider control 306 by sliding the first finger along the slider control306. The slider control 306 has a range from a lower value 610 to anupper value 612. The first user input 602 changes a display value 620 ofthe one or more components and/or parameters of the computer system 100by a first amount based on the distance that the first user input movedthe indicator element in the slider control 306. For example, the firstuser input 602 moves the indicator element to a location having acorresponding display value 620 of the numeric value 91. The user mayneed to change the display value 620 from the value 91 to the value 92,but movement of the first user input 602 may prohibit the display value620 reaching the value 92. For example, the first finger of the user maybe a size that prohibits the first user input from reaching the targetdisplay value of the value 92 (e.g., the first finger may be too large),the scale of the slider control 306 may be preset such that movement bythe first user input 602 changes the display value by factors of 10(e.g. the first user input 602 may only achieve meeting the displayvalues 81, 91, 101, or the like), the first amount may change thedisplay value 620 more or less than intended, or the like.

The second user input 604 is received by the processors 116 to meet thedisplay value 620 target of the value 92. In the illustrated embodimentof FIG. 6, the second user input 604 (e.g., the second finger) taps onthe touch-sensitive device 124 as the first user input 602 (e.g., thefirst finger) remains touching the touch-sensitive device 124. Thesecond user input 604 changes the display value 620 of the one or morecomponents by a unit of a range of the display values 620. For example,the second user input 604 changes the display value 620 by amicro-amount (e.g., 1 unit) that is smaller than the first amount thatthe display value 620 is changed based on the first user input 602(e.g., 10 units). In one embodiment, the unit is the smallest incrementor decrement that the display value 620 can be increased or decreased,respectively, by the computer system 100. For example, the unit may be asingle integer, may be a fraction of an integer, or the like.Optionally, the second user input 604 may slide in any direction tochange the display value 620 by the micro-amount while the first userinput 602 remains stationary. For example, the second user input 604 mayslide in a direction substantially linear to the slider control 306,substantially perpendicular to the slider control 306, in any angulardirection relative to the slider control 306, or the like, to change thedisplay value 620 by the micro-amount.

Tapping the second finger (e.g., the second user input 604) on one sideof the first user input 602 while the first user input 602 remainsstationary changes the display value 620 by a positive amount. Forexample, a single tap by the second user input 604 on one side (e.g.,the right side, or the side proximate the upper value 612 of the slidercontrol 306) of the first user input 602 increases the display value 620from the value 91 to the value 92. Optionally, plural taps may changethe display value 620 by the number of taps. For example, five taps bythe second user input 604 may increase the display value 620 from thevalue 91 to the value 96. Optionally, the frequency of the number oftaps may increase the display value 620 by a different number of units,the display value 620 may increase by a different micro-amount based ona length of time in which the second user input touches thetouch-sensitive device, sliding the second user input 604 in a directionrelative to the first user input 602 may increase the display value 620by a different micro-amount, or the like.

Optionally, the user may need to decrease the display value 620 by amicro-amount. FIG. 7 illustrates first and second user inputs 702, 704changing a display value 620 by a negative amount. The first user input702 touches the touch-sensitive device 124 to move the indicator elementin the slider control 306 displayed on the display screen of thetouch-sensitive device 124. Optionally, the first user input 702 mayinclude touching the display device 118. For example, the first userinput 702 moves the indicator element to a location having acorresponding display value 620 of the numeric value 92. The user mayneed to change the display value 620 from the value 92 to the value 91,but movement of the first user input 702 may prohibit the display value620 reaching the value 91.

The second user input 704 is received by the processors 116 to meet thedisplay value 620 target of the value 91. In the illustrated embodimentof FIG. 7, the second user input 704 taps on the touch-sensitive device124. Optionally, the second user input 704 may include tapping thedisplay device 118. Each tap changes the display value 620 of the one ormore components by a unit of a range of the display values 620. Forexample, the second user input 704 changes the display value 620 by amicro-amount that is smaller than the first amount that the displayvalue 620 is changed based on the first user input 702. Tapping thesecond finger (e.g., the second user input 704) on an opposite side ofthe first user input 702 while the first use input 702 remainsstationary changes the display value 620 by a negative amount. Forexample, a single tap by the second user input 704 on one side (e.g.,the left side, or the side proximate the lower value 610 of the slidercontrol 306) of the first user input 702 decreases the display value 620from the value 92 to the value 91.

In one embodiment, the first user input may be an index finger of theuser and the second user input may be a middle finger of the user. Thefirst user input (e.g., the index finger) may move the indicator elementby the first amount. To change the display value 620 by a negativeamount, the second user input (e.g., the middle finger or a finger otherthan the index finger) may touch the touch-sensitive device 124 tomaintain the position of the indicator element in the slider control 306and the first user input (e.g., the index finger) may tap on thetouch-sensitive device 124. For example, the second user input may nowbe associated with changing the display value by the first amount, andthe first user input may now be associated with changing the displayvalue 620 by the micro-amount.

In one or more embodiments, the first and/or second user inputs may beused to change the scale of the slider control 306. For example, FIG. 8illustrates a first user input 802 sliding a first finger along thetouch-sensitive device 124 (e.g., along the display screen of the touchpad, along a different portion of the touch-sensitive device that doesnot include a display screen, or the like) to move the indicator elementin the slider control 306 to continuously change the display value 620.The first user input 802 changes the display value 620 by a first amountbased on the distance that the first user input 802 moves the indicatorelement. In the illustrated embodiment, the first user input 802 moves afirst distance and changes the display value 620 from the value 91 tothe value 101.

FIG. 9 illustrates first and second user inputs 902, 904 sliding a firstand second finger along the touch-sensitive device 124 to continuouslychange the display value 620. Optionally, the first and second userinputs 902, 904 may be received by the display device 118. The first andsecond user inputs 902, 904 concurrently touch the touch-sensitivedevice 124 and slide along the slider control 306 (e.g., the userinterface displayed on the display screen of the touch-sensitive device124). For example, the processors 116 detect concurrent touches by thefirst and second user inputs 902, 904 (e.g., by the first and secondfingers). Moving both the first and second user inputs 902, 904 the samefirst distance (e.g., of FIG. 8) changes the display value from thevalue 91 to the value 96. For example, the first user input 802 of FIG.8 may move the indicator element a distance of 10 mm to change thedisplay value by 10 units, but the first and second user inputs 902, 904of FIG. 9 may move the indicator element the same or substantially thesame distance of 10 mm to change the display value by 5 units.

The first user input changes the display value by the first amount(e.g., 10 units) and the second user input changes the display value bythe micro-amount (e.g., 5 units) that is less than the first amount.Optionally, the second user input 904 may include additional concurrenttouches on the touch-sensitive device 124 and/or the display device 118by one or more additional fingers concurrently touching thetouch-sensitive device or the display device. For example, a third andfourth finger may concurrently touch the touch-sensitive device 124 tochange the display value 620. Each touch of the one or more additionalfingers concurrently touching the touch-sensitive device may change thedisplay value 620. For example, a third user input (e.g., a thirdfinger) may change the display value by a second micro-amount that isless than the micro-amount changed by the second user input. Optionally,the display value 620 may change based on a substantially constant orvarying space or separation distance between a location of the firstuser input 902 on the touch-sensitive device and a location of thesecond user input 904 on the touch-sensitive device.

FIG. 10 illustrates a second user input 1004 changing the display value620 by an incremental or decremental amount based on separation distancebetween locations of first and second user inputs 1002, 1004 on thetouch-sensitive device 124. Optionally, the first and second user inputs1002, 1004 may be received via touches of the display device 118. Thefirst user input 1002 moves the indicator element in the slider control306 to change the display value 620 by the first amount based on thedistance the indicator element is moved and a scale factor of thecomputer system 100. For example, moving the indicator element by adistance of 10 mm may change the display value by a first amount of 20units (e.g., from the value 91 to the value 111). Optionally, moving theindicator element by a distance of 10 mm may change the display value bya first amount of 40 units (e.g., from the value 91 to the value 131).The second user input 1004 may change the display value 620 by anincremental or decremental amount based on a separation distance betweena location where the first user input 1002 is received on thetouch-sensitive device and a location where the second user input 1004is received on the touch-sensitive device.

To change the scale factor of the computer system 100, the first userinput 1002 may remain stationary on the touch-sensitive device while thesecond user input 1004 slides closer to or further away from the firstuser input 1002. For example, the scale factor may be 2 to 1, such thatby moving the indicator element 10 mm, the display value changes by 20units (e.g., from 91 to 111). Moving the second user input 1004 closerto the first user input 1002 (e.g., decreasing the separation distancebetween the locations of the first and second user inputs 1002, 1004)decreases the scale factor. For example, the second user input maydecrease the scale factor to 1 to 1, such that by moving the indicatorelement 10 mm with the first user input 1002, the display value changesby 10 units (e.g., from 91 to 101). Alternatively, moving the seconduser input 1004 away from the first user input 1002 (e.g., increasingthe separation distance between the locations of the first and seconduser inputs 1002, 1004 on the touch-sensitive device) increases thescale factor. For example, the second user input 1004 may increase thescale factor to 4 to 1, such that by moving the indicator element 10 mmwith the first user input 1002, the display value changes by 40 units(e.g., from 91 to 131).

In one or more embodiments of the subject matter described herein, amethod includes displaying a cursor on a display device with a computersystem, and concurrently receiving first and second user inputsassociated with movement of the cursor on the display device via thecomputer system. The method also includes moving display of the cursoron the display device in a vector defined by the first and second userinputs. The first user input defines a direction in which the cursor ismoved on the display device and the second user input defines a speed atwhich the cursor is moved on the display device.

Optionally, receiving the first and second user inputs includesdetecting concurrent touches of a touch-sensitive device of the computersystem by different appendages of a user.

Optionally, detecting the concurrent touches includes detecting a firsttouch of the touch-sensitive device by a first finger of the user anddetecting a concurrent second touch of the touch-sensitive device by asecond finger of the user.

Optionally, moving the display of the cursor includes increasing thespeed at which the cursor is moved responsive to the first touch and thesecond touch of the touch-sensitive device moving away from each other.

Optionally, moving the display of the cursor includes decreasing thespeed at which the cursor is moved responsive to the first touch and thesecond touch of the touch-sensitive device moving toward each other.

Optionally, receiving the first and second user inputs includesreceiving actuation of an input device other than a touch-sensitivedevice of the computer system by the user as the first user input andreceiving a touch of the touch-sensitive device of the computer systemby the user as the second user input.

Optionally, receiving the actuation of the input device includesdetecting manipulation of one or more of a track ball, an electronicmouse, a keyboard, or a stylus of the computer system.

Optionally, the computer system is an ultrasound imaging system, whereinan ultrasound image is configured to be displayed on the display device.

Optionally, the method also includes automatically detecting changingthe speed at which the cursor is moved on the display device based on amode of operation of the computer system.

In one or more embodiments of the subject matter described herein, asystem includes one or more processors configured to display a cursor ona display device with a computer system. The system also includes firstand second user inputs associated with movement of the cursor on thedisplay device via the computer system. The one or more processors areconfigured to concurrently receive the first and second user inputs. Adisplay of the cursor on the display device moves in a vector defined bythe first and second user inputs. The first user input defines adirection in which the cursor is moved on the display device, and thesecond user input defines a speed at which the cursor is moved on thedisplay device.

Optionally, the system also includes a touch-sensitive device of thecomputer system. The one or more processors are configured to detectconcurrent touches of the touch-sensitive device by different appendagesof a user as the first and second user inputs.

Optionally, the touch-sensitive device of the computer system isintegrated with the display device.

Optionally, the touch-sensitive device includes a touch pad having adisplay screen configured to display a user interface with the displayscreen.

Optionally, a first touch of the touch-sensitive device by a firstfinger of the user is configured to be concurrently detected with asecond touch of the touch-sensitive device by a second finger of theuser.

Optionally, the speed of the cursor is configured to increase responsiveto the first touch and the second touch of the touch-sensitive devicemoving away from each other.

Optionally, the speed of the cursor is configured to decrease responsiveto the first touch and the second touch of the touch-sensitive devicemoving toward each other.

Optionally, the first user input is configured to be actuation of aninput device by a user, and the second user input is configured to be atouch of a touch-sensitive device of the computer system by the user.

Optionally, the actuation of the input device includes manipulation ofone or more of a track ball, an electronic mouse, a keyboard, or astylus of the computer system.

Optionally, the computer system is an ultrasound imaging system, and theone or more processors are configured to display an ultrasound image onthe display device.

Optionally, the one or more processors are configured to automaticallychange the speed at which the cursor is moved on the display devicebased on a mode of operation of the computer system.

In one or more embodiments of the subject matter described herein, amethod includes displaying an ultrasound image and a cursor on a displaydevice with an ultrasound imaging system, and concurrently receivingfirst and second user inputs associated with movement of the cursor onthe display device via the ultrasound imaging system. Receiving thefirst and second user inputs includes concurrently detecting a firsttouch of a touch-sensitive device of the ultrasound imaging system by afirst finger of a user and detecting a second touch of thetouch-sensitive device of the ultrasound imaging system by a secondfinger of the user. The method also includes moving display of thecursor on the display device in a vector defined by the first and seconduser inputs. The first user input defines a direction in which thecursor is moved on the display device and the second user input definesa speed at which the cursor is moved on the display device. Moving thedisplay of the cursor includes increasing the speed at which the cursoris moved responsive to the first touch and the second touch of thetouch-sensitive device moving away from each other, and moving thedisplay of the cursor includes decreasing the speed at which the cursoris moved responsive to the first touch and the second touch of thetouch-sensitive device moving toward each other.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to beinterpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments thatalso incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitlystated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or“having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particularproperty may include additional such elements that do not have thatproperty.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types ofmaterials described herein are intended to define the parameters of theinvention, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments.Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should,therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, alongwith the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Inthe appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used asthe plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and“wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are notintended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, thelimitations of the following claims are not written inmeans-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expresslyuse the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void offurther structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: displaying a cursor on adisplay device with a computer system; concurrently receiving a firstuser input by detecting a first touch with a first finger at a firstlocation on a touch-sensitive device and a second user input bydetecting a second touch with a second finger at a second location onthe touch-sensitive device, wherein the first user input and the seconduser input are associated with movement of the cursor on the displaydevice via the computer system; and moving display of the cursor on thedisplay device in a vector defined by the first user input and thesecond user input, the first user input defining a direction in whichthe cursor is moved on the display device, the second user inputdefining a speed at which the cursor is moved on the display device. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the touch-sensitive device is integratedwith the display device of the computer system.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein moving the display of the cursor includes increasing thespeed at which the cursor is moved responsive to the first touch and thesecond touch of the touch-sensitive device moving away from each other.4. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the display of the cursorincludes decreasing the speed at which the cursor is moved responsive tothe first touch and the second touch of the touch-sensitive devicemoving toward each other.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thetouch-sensitive device is separate from the display device of thecomputer system.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising increasingthe speed at which the cursor is moved responsive to the second userinput.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising decreasing the speedat which the cursor is moved response to the second user input.
 8. Asystem comprising: a display device; a touch-sensitive device; and oneor more processors configured to display a cursor on the display devicewith a computer system; wherein the one or more processors areconfigured to concurrently receive a first user input by detecting afirst touch with a first finger at a first location on thetouch-sensitive device and a second user input by detecting a secondtouch with a second finger at a second location on the touch-sensitivedevice; wherein the one or more processors are configured to move adisplay of a cursor on the display device in a vector defined by thefirst user input and the second user input, the first user inputdefining a direction in which the cursor is moved on the display device,the second user input defining a speed at which the cursor is moved onthe display device.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein thetouch-sensitive device of the computer system is integrated with thedisplay device.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the speed of thecursor is configured to increase responsive to the first touch and thesecond touch of the touch-sensitive device moving away from each other.11. The system of claim 8, wherein the speed of the cursor is configuredto decrease responsive to the first touch and the second touch of thetouch-sensitive device moving toward each other.
 12. The system of claim8, wherein the touch-sensitive device is separate from the displaydevice of the computer system.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein theone or more processors are further configured to increase the speed atwhich the cursor is moved responsive to the second user input.
 14. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured to decrease the speed at which the cursor is moved responsiveto the second user input.
 15. A method comprising: displaying anultrasound image and a cursor on a display device with an ultrasoundimaging system; concurrently receiving a first user input from an inputdevice and a second user input by detecting a touch on a touch-sensitivedevice, wherein the input device is different than the touch-sensitivedevice; and moving display of the cursor on the display device in avector defined by the first user input and the second user input, thefirst user input defining a direction in which the cursor is moved onthe display device, the second user input defining a speed at which thecursor is moved on the display device.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the input device is a track ball.
 17. The method of claim 15,wherein the input device is an electronic mouse.
 18. The method of claim15, wherein the input device is one or more of a track ball, anelectronic mouse, a keyboard, or a stylus of a computer system.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising increasing the speed at which thecursor is moved responsive to the second user input.
 20. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising decreasing the speed at which the cursor ismoved responsive to the second user input.